Drinking wine could cut the risk of sunburn

This study supports the idea of using grape extracts to protect the skin from cell damage and death caused by solar radiation

Marta Cascante, a biochemist at the University of Barcelona

The scientists say special compounds in the grapes used to make the tipple can protect skin.

The breakthrough is good news for those who like a glass of vino or Sangria on their summer holidays. Experts say the discovery could even help them develop super drugs to protect holidaymakers from cancers and burns.

The Spanish study found that substances in grapes reduced cell damage caused by the sun.

Some grapes can help stop skin molecules from reacting to ultraviolet rays which cause sunburn, according to the researchers at the University of Barcelona and the Spanish National Research Council.

Some make-up and drugs already contain grape extracts, but scientists have not known how they react with skin until now.

Marta Cascante, a biochemist at the university, said: “This study supports the idea of using these products to protect the skin from cell damage and death caused by solar radiation, as well as increasing our understanding of the mechanism by which they act.”

Earlier this week the Daily Star’s sister paper, the Daily Express, revealed scientists are a step closer to producing a simple pill that could stop people getting skin cancer by repairing sunburn damage.

Experts found out how animals manage to protect themselves from the rays.

This will pave the way for the creation of a drug to protect against one of the most deadly cancers.

When humans get sunburn most of our skin cells repair themselves but damage to DNA often leads to cells being killed off.

Over time, the unrepaired area can sometimes develop into skin cancer.